Clifton Springs mayor pleased with audit's findings

Saturday

Aug 30, 2014 at 9:52 PMAug 30, 2014 at 9:52 PM

By Aaron Curtis acurtis@messengerpostmedia.com

CLIFTON SPRINGS — State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's audit of the village of Clifton Springs stated that the village policies and procedures in place are adequate, but there's still room to improve.

Mayor William Hunter said that village officials were overall "very pleased" with the audit, pointing out that nothing "flagrant" was reported.

"They were very pleased with our operations," the mayor said. "They have to have a reason for being, of course, so they have to make a few comments," he added, regarding the audit summary released Aug. 22 by the comptroller's office.

The summary stated, "The board does not complete an adequate, documented annual audit of the village justice's and clerk-treasurer's records."

Hunter explained that was the result of confusion regarding the village's audit procedure.

"We do an audit every month and they didn't understand that," Hunter said.

The state audit went on to state that "although the board regularly discusses plans for future equipment purchases, a formal long-term financial plan has not been developed."

"That's not true, and we explained that to them at the time," Hunter said. He said there is a replacement list in regard to separate funds set aside for those trucks.

"They kept saying that these items aren't anything of importance, but they just wanted to make us aware that they are out there and they are not concerned about the way we handle them," the mayor said. "We didn't have anything flagrant."

Clifton Springs was one of the 11 municipalities included in the audit.